FUNERAL  SERMON 


ON    THE 


i«»th  0f  fgtajj.  fas-  *W.  JUfeiott, 


By   Rev.   A.   HART. 


WITH   AN   OBITUARY. 


RICHMOND : 

GEO.  P.  EV>N\«  A  CO.,  PRINTERS,  "  WHIG"  BUILDING. 

1863. 


• 


FUNERAL  SERMON 


OX    TTTF. 


ifiaih  off  fp|.  guys,  W.  £$ktKtm, 


By   Rev.    A.    HART. 


WITH    AJST  OBITUARY. 


I 


RICHMOND : 

GEO.  P.  BVANI  4  CO.,  PBINIEBS,  "  WHIG"  BUILDING, 

1863 


'*.'  l' 


'tHiftMUi* 


,  l'l  I'*!     f  1    •»'♦     '  it       a 


?UNBRA1  SERMOjN 


"Fqr  all  flesh  is  as  grass, -and  all  the  glory  of  iu.ni  as  the  flower  of  grass 
The  grass  withercth,  and  the  flower  thereof  fallcth  away;  but  the  word  of  m 
Lord  endurclh  forever."     T  Peter,  1:  24. 

.Man  and  all  things  with  which  he  i.-  connected,  are  lading  and  transitory. 

The  morning  of  our  life  may  be  bright — but  it  is  soon  overcast  with  cloud.-. 
If  these  clouds  break  away,  and  our  sun  does  not  then  go  down,  they  soon 
return.  If  a  halo  of  glory  again  attend  us,  it  is  like  the  evanescent  tints  which 
adorn  the  evening  sky. 

The  brightest  and  longest  career  of  man  is  like  a  shooting  star  or  a  blazing 
meteor,  which  dazzles  only  for  a  moment,  and  makes  the  succeeding  darkness 
even  more  dark.  "All  flesh  is  as  grass,  and  all  the  glory  of  man  as  the  flower 
nf  grass.'" 

This  is  true  of  our  life,  of  our  breath,  of  our  glory,  of  our  relationships,  of 
our  bodies,  of  oitr  all,  here  below.  Wit  and  beauty,  and  health  and  pomp,  ami 
power,  and  gaiety,  and  mirth,  ami  wealth,  and  possessions,  and  honors,  soon 
vanish.  They  pass  awa\  ,  like  an  eagle  towards  the  sun,  or  like  an  arrow  through 
the  air,  leaving  no  trace  behind  them. 

We  (lit  as  an  atom,  or  an  insect,  in  the  sunbeam  of  Jehovah's  being.  ;  circling 
the  mazy  dance  for  a  moment,  and  then  are  gone  forever.  '"All  flesh  is  as  grass, 
and  all  the  glory  of  man  as  the  flower  of  grass." 

This  is  true  of  individuals,  especially  when  they  have  reached  the  zenith  "i 
their  glory.  So  it.  was  with  Sennacherib,  the  proud  king  of  Assyria,  who 
itecame  so  intoxicated  with  his  success  against  other  nations,  that  he  insulted 
and  derided  Hezekiah,  the  pious  king  of  Judah,  and  defied  the  armies  of  Ihjp 
living  God.  lie  arose  in  a  night  and  perished  in  a  nights  Just  as  he  was  about 
to  put  his  foot  on  the  topmost  round  in  the  ladder  of  human  eminence,  he  fell, 
ruvd  his  glory  departed. 

Nebuchadnezzar,  the  proud  monarch  of  Babylon,  had  such  success,  aud.ob 
lained  so  much  glory,  that  he  imagined  himself  to  be  a  God.  lie  erected  to 
himself  a  golden  statue,  sixty  cubits  high,  in  the  plaiu  of  Dura,  and  commanded 
his.  subjects  to  worship  it  as  a  divinity.  lie  soaped  ..Jo ft  in  his  exultation  and 
pride;  but  just  as  he  reached  the  "highest  poim  of.  human  grandeur,  his  wings 
Were  plucked,  and  he  fell  to  rise  no  more. 


&'o  it  was  also  with  Belshazzar,  the  last  king  of  Babylon — and  90  it  was  with 
Babylon  herself,  who,  in  the  language  of  the  prophet,  said  in  her  heart,  "  I  am 
the  queen  of  nations,  and  my  reign  is  forever.  I  am,  and  there  is  none  else 
beside  me."  In  a  moment,  her  pomp,  and  magnificence,  aud  glory,  were  brought 
down  to  the  grave.  The  voice  of  her  vials,  the  voice  of  her  bride,  and  the 
voice  of  her  bridegroom,  was  heard  no  more  forever. 

We  have  another  most  remarkable  example  of  the  fleeting  nature  of  human 
glory  in  the  case  of  Xerxes,  the  king  of  Persia.  His  dominions  were  vast, 
lie  conquered  Egypt,  and  in  his  pride,  determined  to  conquer  the  world.  He 
began  an  expedition  against  Greece.'  His  armament  amounted  to  several  mil- 
lions. With  this  he  advanced  with  much  pomp  and  parade.  The  rivers  were 
almost  dried  up,  cities  were  laid  waste,  and  the  country  was  desolated  by  his 
army  as  they  advanced.  Presently,  we  see  him  discomfitted  by  his  enemies, 
covered  with  disgrace,  and  timidly  stealing  homeward  with  some  of  his  army. 
who  had  escaped  the  ravages  of  war,  and  famine,  and  pestilence. 

As  it  has  been  with  individuals,  so  also  it  has  been  with  nations.  Four  of  the 
most  powerful  and  glorious  kingdoms  that  ever  existed,  occupied  but  a  few  cen- 
turies; a  period  which,  in  the  view  of  God,  is  but  as  yesterday,  or  as  a  watch 
in  the  night.  During  their  ascendency,  many  other  kingdoms  arose  and  fell; 
and  all  that  we  can  say  of  the  nations  that  have  been,  is  what  was  said  of  Troy, 
"it  was." 

Thus  generation  alter  generation  of  men  pass  away  in  quick  succession  ;  their 
works  and  monuments,  their  thrones,  and  sceptres,  and  diadems,  perish.  Their 
hopes,  and  joys,  and  glory,  pass  away  as  the  mists  of  the  morning — until,  at 
length,  the  habitation  of  man  will  be  burned  up,  and  all  the  former  glory  of 
man  will  appear  like  the  splendid  vision  of  a  night,  or  as  the  beauty  of  a  morn- 
ing flower. 

"  But  the  Word  of  the  Lord  endures  forever."  Whilst  the  tide  of  time  rolls 
onward,  bearing  on  its  bosom  the  works,  and  monuments,  and  hopes  of  man — 
which,  like  airy  bubbles  appear  on  its  surface  for  a  moment,  and  then  burst,  to 
be  seen  no  more — this  progress  of  time  proves  the  eternity  of  Jehovah,  develops 
his  purposes,  aiul  ripens  his  plans. 

Christ  Jesus,  "  the  Word  of  our  Gdd,"  endures  forever.  His  existence  has 
had  no  beginning,  and  will  have  no  end.  Whilst  generation  has  succeeded  to 
generation,  and  kingdoms  have  waxed,  and  waned,  and  expired,  in  quick  suc- 
cession— and  countless  revolutions,  and  vicissitudes,  .aud  convulsions,  have  taken 
place  on  this  eartb,  the  Lord  Jesus  has  abode  unchanged  in  the  meridian  of  bis 
glory — and  there  will  he  abide,  when  earth,  with  all  its  glories,  shall  have  passed 
away.  The  generations  that  have  passed,  and  the  generations  that  arc  to  come, 
will  have  occupied  only  a  moment  of  his  existence. 

He  still  endures.  He  is  the  same  yesterday,  and  lo-day,  and  forever.  The 
same  in  his  compassion,  and  goodness,  and  mercy,  and  faithfulness,  and  power. 
Man  may  deceive  us,  earthly  things  may  delude  and  disappoint  us  ;  but  the  Lord 
never  will.     His  perfections  never  wane,  his  glory  never  recede*. 


The  Word  of  the  Lord,  iu  the  Scriptures  also,  endures  forever.  Jt  cannot 
fail  of  its  accomplishment.  Time,  that  has  corroded  and  wasted  away  all  the 
glory  of  man,  and  his  former  woisks,  has  evolved  the  purposes,  executed  the 
plans  of  Jehovah,  and  evjnced  the  permanency  and  efficiency  of  his  Word. 

Those  events  which  have  exhibited  tlic  frailly  of  man,  and  of  all  his  work?, 
and  have  destroyed  his  glory,  have  proven  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  Jehovah 
in  his  Word. 

When  the  human  family  were  almost  totally  destroyed,  and  all  the  former 
glory  of  man  was  blotted  out  by  the  flood,  it  was  in  fulfilment  of  God's  Word. 
When  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  Admah  and  Zebpim,  were  burned  up,  and  a 
putrid  was  substituted  in  their  place,  it  was  in  execution  of  God's  threatening 
which  wrought  a  visible  and  indelible  monument  in  the  earth  of  the  truth  and 
power  of  God's  Word.  When  Belshazzar  trembled  on  his  throne,  in  the  midst 
of  his  revelry  and  mirth,  and  all  the  splendor  of  his  kingdom  was  destroyed — 
it  was  in  fulfilment  of  the  predictions  of  Jehovah,  uttered  by  Isaiah  and  other 
prophets.  And  when  the  proud  monuments  of  human  greatness  and  glory  werr 
obliterated  from  the  earth  in  Jerusalem,  by  Titus,  the  Roman  general,  then  it 
was  proven  iu  a  most  illustrious  mariner,  that  the  Word  of  the  Lord  endureth 
forever — for  more  than  fourteen  centuries  had  elapsed  since  the  Lord,  by  hie 
-en ant  Moses,  threatened  to  bring  those  evils*  upon  the  Jew.-. 

The  word  of  the  Lord  still  endures — is  still,  living  and  active.  The  promises 
which  comforted  Abraham,  and  Isaiah,  and  Paul,  are  still  the  source  of  conso- 
lation and  support  to  God's  people.  They  are  as  clear  and  abundant,  as  rich, 
^s  certain  of  their  fulfilment— as  precious  and  consoling,  as  they  were  at  first. 
They  are  still  an  antidote  to  despair,  a  solace  in  adversity  and  distress,  the  star 
of  hope,  and  the  harbinger  and  antepost  of  heaven,  to  the  people  of  God. 
Jehovah  still  utters  the  cheering  words  to  these  who  trust  in  Him.  "  1  will  be  a 
'lod  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee."  Gen.  17:  7.  "  I  will  be  merciful  to 
their  unrighteousness,  and  their  sins  and  iniquities  I  will  remember  no  more." 
Heb.  8:  12.  "Fear  not;  for  1  am  ^ith  thee;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy 
'iod:  I  will  strengthen  thee;  yea,  I  will  help;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the 
right  hand  of  my  righteousness."  Is.  11:  10.  "  When  thou  passest  through  the 
waters,  I  will  be  with  thee;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee: 
•.hen  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned;  neither  shall  the 
flame  kindle  upon  thee."  Is.  43:  2.  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  II.  Cor. 
12:9.  "As  thy  days,  so  "hall  thy  strenghth  be."  Deu.  33:25.  "And  God 
shall  wipe  away  all  teara  from  their  eyes;  and  there  shall  be  no  more  death, 
neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain;  for  the  format 
thiugs  are  passed  away."     Rev.  21:  4. 

The  word  of  the  Lord  endures  forever,  as  to  the  eti'ects  which  it  produces  in 
the  hearts  of  God's  people  when  it  is  accompanied  with  the  influences  of  the 
Holy  spirit.  It  endures  forever,  in  that  spiritual  renovation  in  which  it  results — 
in  those  hopes  which  it  awakens,  and  in  the  consummation  of  those  hopes  in 
the  eternal  bliss  and  glorj  of  Heaven. 


»' 

The  word  of  Gud  is  compa     d  loin  is  the  g   rinol  immortal 

life,  which  appeal's  first  in  tbc  blade,  then  in  the  car,  and  then  in  I  he  lull  corn 
ia  the  year — an  immortal  golden  harvest. 

My  .dear  hearers,  consider  the  vanity  of  earthly  things.  '•  Verily,  every  man 
at  his  best  state  is  altogether  vanity.  Surely  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  show: 
Surely,  they  are  disquieted  in  vain."     Ps.  39:  J,  li. 

This  world's  splendor  is  an  empty  pageant — a  morning  flower.  It-  pleasures 
are  evanescent  as  a  morning  clond.  Earthly  hopes  are  false  and  delusive  at 
best:  They  elevate  for  a  moment,  only  to  depress  the  more.  They  enjiveii,, 
•>nly  to  enhance  the  mortification  of  disappointmi 

"  But  the  word  of  our  Cod  enddreth  forever."'  "  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass 
away,  but  his  word  never  will  pass  away."  His  promises  are  firm  and  un- 
changeable; and  the  perfections  of  Jehovah  are  engaged  for  their  fulfilment. — 
The  Lord  will  not  deceive,  nor  disappoint  us.  He  will  realize  tons  all  those 
glorious  things,  which  his  word  leads  us  to  expect. 

hi  the  death  of  him  whose  o'osefpiics  we  attend  to-day,  we  have  an  cxamp!>- 
of  the  truth,  that  all  ficsh  is  as  grass,  and  all  the  glory  of  man  as  the  flower  of 
•:;iv.s?. 

He  has  gone  before  you,  to  teach  you  the  vanity  of  human  hopes — of  youth  • 
and  health  and  vigor,  and  to  teach  you  that  a  similar  end  awaits  you.  A  moni- 
tory voice  comes  from  the  tomb,  saying  to  you,  "  Be  ye  also  ready."  "  All  flesh 
is  as  grass."  "  But  the  word  of  our  God  endures  forever;"  and  this  is  the  word 
which  by  the  gospel  is  preached  unto  you.  "  This  word  affords  a  solid  and  an 
eternal  foundation  for  your  hopes.  It  is  intended  to  comfort  God's  people  in 
bereavement — to  point  them  to  a  world  where  all  is  abiding,  peaeelul  and 
glorious. 

This  sad  dispensation  of  divine  Providence  is.  intended  to  admonish,  awaken 
and  bring  to  repentance,  those  who  are  in  their  sins,  and  to  incline  them  to 
secure  an  interest  in  the  riches,  and  glories,  and  bliss,  which  never  fade  away. 

You,  my  friends,  who  have  been  most  deeply  ainicted  by  this  event,  have  rea- 
son to  hope  that  Maj.  Andkrson  passed  from  the  scenes  of  earthly  strife  and  war 
to  the  peaceful  scenes  of  Heaven.  For  he  was  a  child  of  that  covenant  which 
Cod  has  made  with  you;  "  1  will  be  a  God  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee.'' 

God  fulfils  his  covenant  in  his  own  time. 

He.  was  also  a  child  of  many  ardent  prayers.  Says  the  Apostle  John,  "  And 
this  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  in  Him,  that  if  we  ask  anything,  according 
to  His  will  he  heareth  us:  And  if  we  know  that  He  hear  us,  whatsoever  we  ask, 
we  know  that  we  have  the  petitions  that  we  desired  of  Him."    I  John,  ."5:  14,  1J. 

In  this  case,  you  have  r^son  to  hope  that  God  fulfilled  his  covenant,  and 
heard  your  prayers,  though  at  a  late  hour;  for  he  was  thoughtful  and  seriou.' 
some  time  before  his  death,  and  especially  just  before  the  bottle  in  which  he 
fell,  in  view  of  the  possibility  of  his  death." 

'Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Maj.  Joseph  W.  Anderson  in  April  last, 
to  Dr.  D.  S.  Watson,  on  the  death  of  his  tenderly  loved  cousin  Kate. 

"  When  1  hear  of  the  death  of  one  of  my  old  school  mates  or  college  friends. 


After  he  was  wounded,  believing  it  to  be  a  mortal  wound,  he  said  to  the  Sui 
geon  who  attended  him,  that  he  was  resigned — that  he  was  prepared  to  die.— 
He  repeated  to  the  Surgeon,  that  ho  was  prepared  to  die.     He  had  been  suffi- 
ciently well  instructed  on  religious  subjects,  to  know  what  was  a  necessary  pre- 
po ration  for  death. 

lie  was  a  candid  man,  and  in  the  circumstances — beiDg  alone  with  his  Sur- 
geon— h'e  could  hare  had  no  motive  to  say  that  he  wa<  prepared,  unless  he  really 
believed  that  he  wa<  prepared  to  die. 

Sorrow  not  then  as  those  who  have  no  hope.  Leave  your  much  loved  one  in 
iho  hands  of  a  just  and  merciful  God,  and  devote  yourselves  to  the  remaining 
ditties  of  life;  the  cultivation  of  religion  in  your  own  hearts:  the  advancement  of 
Christ's  cause,  and  the  good  of  your  fellow  men,  and  say: 

•  V'>:  with  my  i : < ■  ■  i .  l  leave  my 

And  trust  His  promised  prace ; 
He  rules  me  by  His  well  knnwn  tan- 

Of  love  and  righteousness. 

Xpt  all  the  pains,  that  e'er  rbore, 

Shall  spotl  my  future  peace — 
For  death  and  bell  can  do  M 
Than  what  mv  Father  pi 


one  who  has  nobly  done  his  duty,  and  met  his  death  in  the.  ranks  of  his 
countrymen,  I  do  not  feel  so  sad— 'it  was  to  be  expected.  Death,  danger  and 
loss  from  the  front  is  natural,  but  when  I  hear  that  the  dread  monster  has  been 
at  work  among  the  loved  ones  at  home,  it  strikes  me  with  dismay,  and  seem- 
like  the.  enemy  had  gotten  into  our  rear;  that  our  bright  anticipations  of  joyous 
v.  glcomes  and  happy  homes  after  this  cruel  war  is  over,  arc  about  to  fail  us;  that 
the  old  loving  smile  and  kiss  of  affection  arc  fading  away. forever. 

Hut  my  dear  friend,  1  hope  we.  arc  not  such  mere  animals,  as  to  limit  our  views 
of  things  to  this  world  below.  Christians  tell  us  of  another  world  where,  ther> 
n  ill  be  no  separation  nor  sorrow,  and  nothing  but  joy  forever.  If  there  was  a 
being  on  earth  who  deserved  a  place  in  this  blessed  abode,  I  am  sure  that  one 
was  your  wife;  and  is  it  not  a  sweet  thought  and  one  full  of  consolation,  that 
dear  Kate,  in  a  sainted  form,  may  be  locking  down  from  above  upon  us,  watch 
ing  over  us,  warding  oft"  dangers  from  us,  and  by  the  sweet  memories  of  the  past, 
•  (rawing  us  tip  to  thai  communion  which  v.  ill  last  forever." 

Extracts  from  the  la-t  letter  written  by  Ma j.  J.  W.  Anderson  to  has  father, 

-liurtly  before  he  fell. 

"  Thus  upon  the  eve  of  participating  in  what  will  probably  be  one  of  the  blood 
iest  battles  of  the  war,  I  cannot  help  indulging  in  some  very  serious  and  sad  reflec- 
tions. 1  hope  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  assure  you  and  my  noble  mother  of  my 
undying  devotion,  and  to  request  that  in  case  1  should  fall,  you  would  devotr 
j  ourselves  to  the  care  of  my  wife  and  children.  And  if  it  should  be  my  fate  to 
lose  my  life,  it  grieves  me.  to  think  of  what  may  befall  her  and  my  dear  little  chil- 
dren. On  this  account  1  shall  try  not  to  expose  myself  unnecessarily,  but  if  in  the 
heat  of  action  my  conduct  may  appear  to  be  contrary  to  this  principle,  it  will  bedue 
to  the  extreme  manner  in  which  lam  wedded  to  the  cause  in  which  I  am  en- 
gaged. These  are  sad  thoughts,  and  it  is  as  well  to  dispel  them  and  be  happy- 
while  we  may;  of  one  thing  I  know  you  will  rest  assured,  that  though  I  may  be 
unmanned  sometimes  when  thinking  of  these  things,  1  will  never  be  so  in 
presence  of  the  foe." 

"  1  don't  want  you  all  to  be  uneasy  about  me,  as  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to 
make  very  many  warm  friends  out  here,  several  of  whom  have  insisted  upon 
taking  care  of  me  should  I  be  wounded  or  *iek:  and  if  it  should  be  my  fate  to 
die,  1  eonldn'l  do  *o  in  abetter  cause-." 


-Viaj.  Anderson  was  a  "man  01  sterling  worth.  His  disposition  s>  genial, 
.•heerful,  lively  and  affectionate.  In  the  various  relation*  of  life,  as  a  son,  hus- 
band, father,  brother,  neighbor  and  friend,  be  was  gentle,  kind  and  faithful ;  so 
that  he  was  universally  beloved  wherever  he  was  known.  He  was  a  zealou* 
and  active  patriot  and  soldier;  and  devoted  himself  to  the  cause  of  his  country 
from  the  commencement  of  our  troubles.  As  a  Captain,  he  was  beloved  by 
every  one  of  his  company,  as  I  have  been  informed. 

A5  Major  of  the  artillery,  under  Gen.  Stevenson,  Gen.  Stevenson  remarked 
in  a  letter,  that  "  Maj.  Anderson  was  all  that  could  be  desired  in  mi  officer — 
gallant,  intelligent  and  energetic.  He  gave  his  life  to  our  cause,  and  died  in  the 
faithful  discharge  of  his  duty." 

He  is  gone  to  appear  no  more  in  the  midst  of  us,  to  enliven  and  bless  our 
society.  I  deeply  deplore  his  death  on  my  own  account.  This  community  and 
county,  the  army  and  country,  have  sustained  a  great  loss  by  his  death. 

To  you,  his  bereaved  parents,  widow  and  other  relatives,  I  tender  my  profound- 
est  sympathies.  I  cannot  fathom  the  depths  of  your  sorrow;  but  there  is  one 
who  can  fathom  them,  and  who  can  assuage  your  grief:  for  He  has  the  tongue  of 
the  learned,  and  He  knows  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  the  weary  soul — the 
soul  that  is  harassed  with  affliction  and  temptation.  And,  alas !  temptations — en- 
ticements to  sin — to  distrust  God ,  and  to  find  fault  with  his  dealings,  generally  at- 
tend afflictions.  Do  not,  I  beseech  you,  yield  to  these  temptations.  Do  not  impugn 
the  rectitude  of  the  Divine  counsels  and  will  in  this  matter.  Do  not  impeach 
the  wisdom  and  benevolence  of  God  in  this  event.  Do  not  scrutinize  too  closely, 
or  attempt  to  comprehend  His  Providence  in  this  case,  but  say,  "  Even  so 
father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  God  says  to  you,  "  Be  still,  and 
know  that  I  am  God."  "  What  I  do,  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know 
hereafter."  "  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  know  not;  I  will  lead 
ihem  in  paths  which  they  have  not  known;  I  will  make  darkness  light;  and 
crooked  things  straight  before  them."    Is.  42: 1G. 

You  may  have  heard  or  read  the  beautiful  story  of  the  Jewish  Rabbi  Mcir. 
During  the  absence  of  the  Rabbi,  his  two  sons  died;  both  of  them  of  uncom- 
mon beauty,  and  enlightened  in  the  Divine  law.  His  wife  bore  them  to  her 
chamber  and  laid  them  upon  her  bed,  and  spread  a  white  covering  over  their 
bodies.  When  Rabbi  Meir  returned,  his  first  inquiry  was  for  his  sons.  His  wife 
reached  to  him  a  goblet;  he  praised  the  Lord  at  the  going  out  of  the  Sabbath, 
drank,  and  again  asked,  "  where  are  my  sons,  that  they  too  may  drink  of  the  cup 
of  blessing:"  "  They  will  not  be  far  off  "she  said,  placing  food  before  him, 
ihat  he  might  eat.  He  was  in  a  glad  and  genial  mood,  and  when  he  had  said 
grace  after  meat,  she  thus  addressed  him.  "  Rabbi,  with  thy  permission,  I  would 
fain  ask  thee  one  question."  «'  Ask  it  then  my  love,"  replied  he.  She  said, 
«'  a  few  days  ago,  a  person  entrusted  some  jewels  in  my  custody,  and  now  he  de- 
mands them.  Should  I  give  them  back  to  him  ?"  "  This  is  a  question," said  the 
rtabbi,  "  which  my  wife  should  not  have  thought  it  necessary  to  ask.  What ! 
Would 'st  thou  hesitate  or  be  reluctant  to  restore  to  everv  one  his  own  ?"  "  No." 


she  replied,  "  but,  I  thought  it  best  not  to  restore  them  without  acquainting  tkee 
therewith."  She  then  lead  him  to  the  chamber,  and  stepping  to  the  bed,  took 
the  white  covering  from  the  dead  bodies.  "  Ah  !  my  sons,  my  song,"  loudly  la- 
mented their  father,  "  my  sons,  the  light  of  my  eyes,  and  the  light  of  my  under- 
standing !  I  was  your  father,  but  you  were  my  teachers  in  the  law."  The  mother 
turned  away,  and  wept  bitterly.  At  length,  she  took  her  husband  by  the  hand, 
and  said,  ••  Rabbi,  didst  thou  not  teach  me,  that  we  must  not  be  reluctant  to 
restore,  that  which  was  entrusted  to  our  keeping?  See,  « the  Lord  gave,  and 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name  of  tho  Lord.'  "  •'  Blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord,"  re-echoed  the  Rabbi,  "and  blessed  be  his  holy  name 
forever." 

My  impenitpnt  friends — 

"  Go  watch  and  pray,  thou  cacft  no: f    i 

How  near  thine  hour  may  be, 
Thou  canst  not  know  how  soon  the  bell 

May  toll  for  thee. 
Menth'«  countless  enarea  be;et  thy  wi/> 
frail  •  hiltj  of  duet,  go  wat~h  and  prin 

ftmd  youth,  wbile  free  from  blightlrsr 

Does  tby  firm  pu!=e  beat  bighr 
Da  hopeV  glad  visions  bright,  ami  fair, 

Dilate  before  thine  rye « 
Soon  these  rauFt  change,  rauet  pat*  awjv 
Krail  rhild  of  dint,  no  wateh  and  pray. 

\mbitioD.  stop  tby  panting  breath  ; 

Pride,  sink  thy  lifted  eye  ; 
Behold,  the  caverns  d»Tk  with  de  »th 

Before  you  open  lie !  ..  ifa 

The  heavenly  warning  cow  obey  .  <— 

Ve  ton*  of  pride,  go  watch  and  pray. 

Thau  aged  man '.  life '»  wintry  Morn, 

Hath  seared  tby  vernal  bloom : 
With  trembling  limb?,  and  wasted  foitt 

Thou'rt  bending  o'er  the  tomb : 
vnd  can  vain  hope  lead  thee  estray  • 
Gn,  woiry  pilyriTiJ.  wgtrh  «0'1  prnT.'' 


"\33 


".It  was  the  providence  of  God  that  your  son  was  born — so  wad  it  that  he 
ilied;  he  was  yours  but  lor  a  term  of  bis  life,  whereof  the  thread  once  spun, 
could  not  be  lengthened,  and  the  days  numbered,  one  day  could  not  be  added  by 
all  the  world's  power.  In  his  birth  as  in  his  death,  was  the  hand  of  the  LonI 
God ;  in  the  one  for  your  comfort,  in  the  other  for  your  trial — in  both  for  your 
good,  if  in  both  you  glorify  God." — (Gcorgt  Jtioore,  of  Lotlty,  to  FJlnnorf,  on  the 
tteath  of  his  yon  vndcr-Essex,  i?i  Ireland.) 


JOSEPH     W.    ANDERSON, 

Son  of  John  T.  and  Capandra  M.  Anderson,  was  born  in  Fincastle,  Va.,  on  Ibe 
19th  day  of  December,  183G.  His  education  was  completed  at  the  University  of 
Virginia,  in  Juljt  1859,  when  lie  immediately  married  Susan  W.,  daughter  of 
I  he  late  Dr.  J.  M.  Morriss,  of  Louisa.  He  was  educated  for  the  Bar,  and  well 
^cr.-cd  in  the  learning  of  that  profession — but  from'  considerations  of  taste  and 
convenience,  turned  his  attention  to  other  pursuits,  chiefly  agriculture. 

In  May,  1861,  on  the  Ineaking  out  of  the  war,  lie  entered  the  military  sem^ 
i 3  Captain  of  a  Company  of  Volunteers,  and  served  under  Generals  Johnston 
and  Beauregard  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  On  recommendation  of  the  latter, 
his  company  was  changed  from  infantry  to  artillery  service  in  the  following 
December,  and  being  soon  filled  up,  \olunteercd  for  the  war. 

At  an  early  age  he  manifested  aptne.-.-  and  taste  for  military?  t.ictics:  and  ln- 
mind,  as  he  grew  up,  hecamc  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  history,  spirit,  and 
chivalrous  sentiments  of  the  great  masters  of  that  profession. 

\fier  drilling  his  company  during  the  as  inter  at  camps  near  Richmond,  hi 
reported,  in  the  spring,  to ''General  E.  Kirov  Smith,  at  Knoxville,  with  whom 
lie  served  in  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  for  a  while  as  Adjutant  to  General 
Uartow,  in  which  capacity  he  led  with  gallantry  B  charge  on  the  enemy's  strong- 
hold at  Tazewell,  Tennessee,  driving  back  their  forces  consisting  Of  artillery 
oid  infantry,  to  Cumberland  Gap. 

In  December,  1863,  he  was  ordered  to  Vicksburg,  and  readied  there  ou  the 
\!.>lh  of  that  month,  in  the  midst  of  an  attack  on  our  works,  lie  moved  at  once 
into  the  Hues,  and  ga\  e  the  enemy  a  few  shots  before  they  retired.  In  the  fol- 
lowing mouth  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major,  and  appointed  Chief  of 
Artillery  of  Major-General  Stevenson's  Division.     It  \va-<  not  without  pain  thai 


14 

ho  parted  with  the  immediate  coiamaud  of  this  company,  composed,  iu  a  great 
measure,  of  his  early  associates  and  neighbors,  and  bound  together  by  cornmou 
hopes  and  fears,  aitiictious  and  triumphs.  His  promotion  to  a  more  extended 
command,  did  Dot  impair  this  feeling,  but  while  he  lived  he  manifested,  aa  he 
truly  felt,  the  deepest  interest  iu  this  company  and  its  individual  members.  Thei: 
valour  and  losses  at  Port  Gibson,  in  resisting  against  fearful  odds,  the  advance 
of  Grant's  army,  affected  him  deeply — more  so,  perhaps,  that  he  had  not  the 
privilege  of  being  with  them,  being  under  orders  at  another  point. 

On  the  16th  of  May,  1S63,  was  fought  the  battle  of  "  Baker's  Crfbk,"  about 
midway  between  Jackson  and  Yicksburg.  Our  force  consisting  of  three  divi- 
sions, under  command  of  General  Pembertou,  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battl? 
on  a  ridge  along  which  passed  the  road  from  Kdward's  Depot  to  Raymond  and 
t'linton,  and  at  whose  base  in  the  rear  of  our  lines  ran  Baker '?«•€  reek.  These 
divisions  were  commanded  respectively,  by  General  Loring,  on  the  left,  General 
Howen,  in  the  centre,  and  General  Stevenson,  on  the  right,  whose  artillery, 
under  command  of  Major\AxDERBON',  was  posted  at  several  points  along  thi> 
road. 

General  Grant,  in  command  of  the  immeftfie  Federal  army,  threw  his  whole 
force,  against  our  right,  and  attempted  to  flank  it.  His  men  were  flushed  with 
success,  having  on  the  march  from  Grand  Gulf  laid  waste  the  country  and 
racked  the  towns  of  Raymond,  Clinton,  and  Jackson.  They  now  claimed  with 
insolent  triumph,  the  "  Proud  City  of  the  Ililis,"  the  stronghold  of  the  Missisippi. 
Tor  five  hours  this  army  was  held  at  bay  by  Stevenson's  division — Major  Andkr- 
jox  moving  from  point  to  point  along  his  line,  with  calm  self-possession,  encour- 
aging his  men,  as  if  unconscious  of  danger.  At  length  a  charge  of  infantry  was 
ordered,  and  he  volunteered  to  lead  the  40th  Georgia;  after  breaking  the 
enemy's  first  line,  he  fell,  mortally  wounded,  at  the  head  of  this  regiment,  in  a 
charge  on  the  enemy's  second  line;  and  our  forces,  after  a  most  sanguinary  conflict, 
were  compelled  to  retire.  His  friends  were  forced  to  leave  him  on  the  field,  to 
effect  thtir  own  escape.  About  o  o'clock,  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  be  was 
found  lying  under  the  shade  of  a  bush  near  a  ravine,  by  Surgeon  Vandikc,  of 
Georgia,  who  removed  him  to  his  hospital,  at  a  short  distance.  Hero  he  Was 
kindly  attended  by  tie  Surgeon  until  he  expired,  from  loss  of  blood  internally. 
hi  H  o'clock  the  following  morning.  During  this  short  period  his  mind  was  clear 
and  spirits  calm,  and  whenever  inquired  of,  expressed  himself  free  from  pain. 

A  short  time  before  he  expired,  being  informed  by  the  Surgeon  that  he  was 
-inking,  he  took  from  his  person  some  little  valuables,  including  mementoes  of 
aficetion,  and  handing  them  to  the  Surgeon,  requested  him  to  preserve  them 
until  called  for — and  to  the  Surgeon's  remark,  "Your  death  is  a  glorious  onr , 
Maj6r,  in  defence  of  the  liberty  of  your  country, "  replied  with  a  smile,  "I  am 
prepared  to  die — I  am  resigned  to  my  fate,"  and  extending  his  hand,  took  leave 
of  him,  with  thanks  for  his  kindness. 

Thus  lived  Joskpu  W.  AxDiyr.Box.  and  thus,  a  martyr  for  his  country,  "amid 
the  titern  alarums  ef  grim-visage  d  war,"  he  died,  far  from  kindred  and  home— 


15 

t.hrice  loved  home— of  parent-;,  of  wife,  of  pratling  babes— the  dearest  object* 
of  earth. 

His  spirit  passed  to  the  bosom  of  his  God,  and  in  hope  of  a  glorious  resurrec- 
tion, his  body  Vims  Interred  on  the  «'  field  of  honor,"  and  of  hie  country's  glory. 
I  Hs  "  memory  shall  not  fail,"  but  will  endure  in  the  hearts  of  a  wide  circle  of 
kindred  and  friends.  Farewell !  dear  friend  and  kinsman  !  Would  that  I  could 
tcaoe  here  for  thy  children,  a  faithful  portraiture  of  thy  character — but  lamn^t 
--qiial  to  it. 

"Whatsoever  things  are  honest,  whats-oever  things  are  juBt,  whatsoever  thing.* 
are  pure,  whatsoever  thin?«  nr*>  lovely,  whatsoever  things  are  of  ?ooH  report  " 
ill,  all,  are  thine. 


\  ' 


